The 2009 International Energy
Conservation Code Overview
Village of Frankfort, Illinois
April 21, 2010
Presented By:
Don Plass, C.B.O., M.C.P., LEED AP
Director of Code Enforcement
Village of Hoffman Estates
Introduction and Overview
 Codes
 History of Illinois Energy Efficiency Building Act
 Residential Applications of the 2009 IECC
 RESCheck/REM Rate
Codes
 Building Code – A set of rules of procedures
designed to secure uniformity and protect the
public interest in such matters as building
constriction and public health, established by a
public agency and commonly having the force of
law in a particular jurisdiction
Earliest Recorded Building Code
The Code of Hammurabi 1780 BC
 The earliest recorded “Building Code” comes from an 8
foot stone slab recovered in the Persian Mountains in
1901. It is preserved today in the Louvre, Paris
 The Code was written by the ruler of Babylon:
King Hammurabi
 The Code contained 282 laws, of
which 5 referred to construction

Hammurabi Code Numbers 229-233
 229-If a builder build a house for someone and does
not construct it properly, and the house for which he
built fall in and kills the owner, the builder shall be
put to death.
 230-If it kill the son of the owner, the son of the
builder shall be put to death.
 233-If a builder builds a house for someone, even
though he has not completed it, if then the walls
seem toppling, the builder must make the walls
solid from his own means
Present day codes:
 Building Officials and Code Administrators
(BOCA) was published in 1915 (Midwest)
 Uniform Building Code (UBC) was published in
1927 (West of Mississippi)
 Southern Building Code Congress (SBCC) was
published in 1940 (South East) “Standard Building
Code"
 These are commercial codes
CABO
 In 1972, the Council of American Building
Officials (CABO) was incorporated with the
combination of the three model commercial code
groups: BOCA, UBC and SBCC.
 CABO is a prescriptive code for residential one
and two family dwelling units.
Model Energy Code-Evolution
 In 1973 the first Model Energy Code (MEC) was
published by CABO
 In 1998 the International Energy Conservation
Code was published by the three model code
groups who were merging into the International
Code Council (ICC)
 In 2000 the first International Energy
Conservation Code (IECC) was published by ICC
2000 International Energy
Conservation Code (IECC)
 The first published International Code Council (ICC)
Energy Code
 19 Climate Zones (CZ)
 198 pages in length
2006 IECC
 Reduced number of Climate Zones to 8 Zones
 Reduced to 63 pages
2009 IECC
 Applies to Residential Buildings
 One and Two Family dwellings, Townhouses
 Multifamily dwellings three-stories or less in height
 Commercial Buildings
 Multifamily dwellings four stories or greater in height
 Eight global climate zones
 Compliance assessment choices
 Prescriptive criteria-for ease of enforcement
 Simulated Performance criteria-for design flexibility
2009 IECC
 Changes in Residential Requirements
 Stringency-some key differences
 New requirements
 Building envelope tightness
 Duct testing
 Lighting equipment
 Pool controls and covers
 Snow melt controls
 Moisture control requirements moved to IRC
 No mechanical trade-offs allowed
Envelope Stringency Changes-2009 IECC
 Fenestration U—Factor, Climate Zone 4 is lowered
from 0.4 to 0.35
 Wood frame wall U-Factor, CZ5-CZ6 lowered from
0.060 to 0.057
 `Minimum R-Value for “batt – only” raised from 19 to 20
 Basement wall U-Factor, CZ6-CZ7 lowered from
0.059 to 0.050
 Minimum R-Value raised from 10/13 to 15/19
Building Envelope Tightness – 2009 IECC
 Mandatory air leakage section for building thermal
envelope (402.4.1) has been revised to include attic
openings and rim joist junctions
 New air sealing and insulation section (402.4.2) added
with testing and visual inspections options
Duct Testing – 2009 IECC
 New Duct Testing requirements are in Section 403.2.2 for
either a post construction or rough-in test, unless ducts and
air handler are located within the conditioned space
Lighting Equipment – 2009 IECC
 A new requirement in Section 404 that
50 % of lamps in permanently installed
lighting fixtures shall be high-efficacy
lamps
Pool Controls and Covers – 2009 IECC
 A new Section 403.9
in pools requires a readily
accessible on/off switch,
time switches for heaters
and pumps along with
pool covers
Snow Melt Controls – 2009 IECC
 A new Section 403.8 has been added for snow melt
controls
Moisture Control Requirements to IRC
 Moisture control requirements (Vapor Barriers) have
been moved to the 2009 International Residential Code
No Mechanical Tradeoffs Allowed
 Table 405.5.2(1) sets
the standard for heating
and cooling systems to
be “as proposed”
This removes justification
for the justification for
the mechanical systems trade off used in REScheck
IRC not equal to IECC
 Energy Chapter in IRC is not equal to the IECC
 DOE does not recognize the IRC for energy
 IRS does not recognize the IRC for tax credits
 FHA does not recognize the IRC
 Illinois does not recognize the IRC
History of the Illinois Energy
Conservation Code (Commercial)
 Public Act 093-0936 was signed into law in August of
2004 as the Illinois Energy Conservation Code for
Commercial Buildings
 Became effective April 8, 2006 (2000 IECC/2001 IECC
Supplement)
 Revised to exclude supplements on October 9, 2007
 On August 18, 2009 the 2009 IECC was adopted for all
Commercial projects
Illinois Energy Conservation Code
(Residential)
 Public Act 096-0778 was signed on August 28, 2009 to
include Residential structures
 The Energy Efficient Commercial Building Act became
“The Energy Efficient Building Act”
 Rules for enforcement were filed with the SOS on
January 29, 2010 under Emergency Rules and is
effective for enforcement when filed. The Rules are in
the first of two Public Comment Periods
What the Law Requires
 Follow the Latest published edition of the International
Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
 Commercial/Residential permit applications must
follow the Code any time a Permit is applied for
Amending the Illinois Energy Code
 Commercial:
 No unit of local government may be less stringent
than the 2009 IECC
 Nothing prevents a unit of local government from
adopting an energy efficiency code or standards that
are more stringent than this code
Amending the Illinois Energy Code
 Residential:
 No unit of local government including any Home
Rule Unit , may regulate the IECC in a manner that
is either less or more strict than the 2009 IECC
2009 IECC/Residential More Strict
 The following entities may regulate energy efficient
building standards more stringent than the
2009 IECC
 (i) If on or before May 15, 2009 has adopted by
reference the 2006 IECC (equal/more stringent)
 (ii) If on or before May 15, 2009 has provided the
CDB with a code/standard equal to or more
stringent than the 2006 IECC
 (iii) Population of 1,000,000 or more (Chicago)
Residential Applications of the 2009
IECC (Chapter 4)
 Structure of the 2009 IECC
 Chapter 1
 Chapter 2
 Chapter 3
 Chapter 4
 Chapter 5
 Chapter 6
Administrative
Definitions
Climate Zones
Residential Energy Efficiency
Commercial Energy Efficiency
Referenced Standards
Overview of 2009 IECC Residential
 The focus is on the building envelope
 Ductwork – seal and insulate
 There are limited space heating, AC and water heating
requirements
 No appliance requirements
 Lighting fixtures shall have 50% of permanently installed
fixtures with high-efficacy lamps
Chapter 1 - Administration
 All low rise (3 stories or less) houses, condominiums,
townhomes and apartments (R-2, R-3, R-4)
 If the building is not classified as residential, it is
classified as commercial
 Includes new construction, alterations, repairs and
additions
 i.e. Window replacements are considered under this
Exceptions to Thermal Provisions
 Very low energy use( less than 3.4 BTU/h-sq ft)
 Buildings neither heated or cooled
 Existing buildings
 Historic buildings
Additions, Alterations, Renovations, Repairs
 Must conform to new work standards
 Existing do not need to comply (if not changed)
 Addition can comply alone or with existing structure
 Exceptions:
 Installing storm windows over existing fenestration
 Glass only replacements
 Exposed, existing ceiling, wall or floor cavities if already filled
with insulation
 Where existing roof, wall or floor cavity is not exposed
 Re-roofing when neither sheathing nor insulation is exposed
 Insulate above or below ceiling
 Attics without insulation in the cavities
Construction Documents
 Required Information on plans
 Insulation materials and R-Values
 Fenestration and U-Factors
 Mechanical system design criteria
 Mechanical and service water heating systems and equipment
types, along with sizes and efficiencies
 Duct sealing
 Duct and pipe insulation and locations
 Lighting fixture schedule/showing high-efficacy lamps
Chapter 2 - Definitions
 Air Barrier: Material(s) assembled and joined together to





provide a barrier to air leakage through the building
envelope. An air barrier may be a single material or a
combination of materials.
High Efficacy Lamps: Compact fluorescent lamps, T-8 or
smaller diameter linear fluorescent lamps
R-Value: Thermal Resistance R=1/U
U-Factor: Thermal Transmittance U=R/1
Code: The 2009 International Energy Conservation Code
Residential Building: Three stories or less above grade
 Building Thermal Envelope-The basement walls,
exterior walls, floor, roof, and any other building
element that enclose conditioned space. This
boundary also includes the boundary between
conditioned space and any exempt or unconditioned
spaces.
 Conditioned space – An area or room within a
building being heated or cooled, containing
uninsulated ducts, or with a fixed opening
directly into an adjacent conditioned space.
Chapter 3 – Climate Zones
 Listed by state and county
 Interior Design Conditions: Max 72 Degrees for Heating and
a minimum of 75 degrees for cooling
 Requirement of materials to be marked for inspection
 Default Fenestration Factors
Chapter 4 – Residential Energy Efficiency
 Code Compliance Tools
Prescriptive
Total Building
“UA” Trade Off
None
Needed
REScheck
Software
Energy Analysis
Software
For Example:
REM/Design
REM/Rate
 Three Code Compliance Options
Prescriptive
U-Factor and “UA”
Alternatives
Simulated
Performance
(Software)
U-Factor
402.1.3
Total Building UA
402.1.4
Simulated
Performance
Alternative
405
R-Values
402.1.1
Insulation and Fenestration
Requirements by Climate Zone
b
CLIMATE FENESTRATION SKYLIGHT
b
ZONE
U-FACTOR
U-FACTOR
1
2
3
4 except
Marine
5 and
Marine 4
6
7 and 8
GLAZED
b,e
FENESTRATION
SHGC
CEILING
WOOD
R-VALUE FRAME WALL
R-VALUE
MASS
WALL
i
R-VALUE
FLOOR
RVALUE
BASEMENT
WALL
R-VALUE
c
d
SLAB
R-VALUE
& DEPTH
CRAWL
c
SPACE
WALL
R-VALUE
1.20
0.65j
0.50j
0.35
0.75
0.75
0.65
0.60
0.30
0.30
0.30
NR
30
30
30
38
13
13
13
13
3/4
4/6
5/8
5 / 10
13
13
19
19
0
0
5 / 13f
10 / 13
0
0
0
10, 2ft
0
0
5 / 13
10 / 13
0.35
0.60
NR
38
20 or 13+5h
13 / 17
30g
10 / 13
10, 2 ft
10 / 13
0.35
0.35
0.60
0.60
NR
NR
49
49
19 or 13+5h
21
15 / 19
19 / 21
30g
38g
15 / 19
15 / 19
10, 4 ft
10, 4 ft
10 / 13
10 / 13
U-Factor Requirements by Climate Zone
CLIMATE
ZONE
1
2
3
4 except
Marine
5 and
Marine 4
6
7 and 8
FENESTRATION
U-FACTOR
SKYLIGHT
U-FACTOR
CEILING
U-FACTOR
FRAME
WALL
U-FACTOR
MASS
WALL
Ub
FACTOR
FLOOR
BASEMENT
WALL
U-FACTOR
d
U-FACTOR
CRAWL
SPACE
WALL
c
U-FACTOR
1.20
0.65
0.50
0.35
0.75
0.75
0.65
0.60
0.035
0.035
0.035
0.030
0.082
0.082
0.082
0.082
0.197
0.165
0.141
0.141
0.064
0.064
0.047
0.047
0.360
0.360
0.091c
0.059
0.477
0.477
0.136
0.065
0.35
0.60
0.030
0.057
0.082
0.033
0.059
0.065
0.35
0.35
0.60
0.60
0.026
0.026
0.057
0.057
0.060
0.057
0.033
0.028
0.050
0.050
0.065
0.065
U-Factor and Total UA (REScheck)
 U-Factor Alternative
 Similar to Prescriptive but uses U-Factors instead of R-
Values
 Allows for innovative or less common construction
 Total UA Alternative
 Same as U-Factor Alternative but allows trade-offs
across all envelope components
Attic Access Hatches
 Weatherstrip and insulate doors/panels from
conditioned spaces to unconditioned spaces
 (i.e. attics and crawl spaces)
 Insulate to a level equivalent to surrounding surfaces
 Provide access to all equipment that will prevent
damaging or compressing the surrounding
equipment
 Install a wood framed or equivalent baffle or
retainer when loose fill insulation is installed
Air Leakage (Mandatory for all)
 Air Leakage
 Recessed Lighting Fixtures
 Maximum Fenestration U-Factor and SHGC
 Fireplaces
Building Thermal Envelope
 The following shall be caulked, gasketed , weatherstripped or
otherwise sealed with an air barrier material, suitable fim or
solid material
 All joints, seams and penetrations
 Site built windows, doors and skylights
 Openings between window and door assemblies and their
respective jambs and framing
 Utility penetrations
 Dropped ceilings or chases adjacent to the thermal envelope
 Knee walls
 Walls and ceilings separating a garage from conditioned





spaces
Behind tub and showers on exterior walls
Common walls between dwelling units
Attic access openings
Rim joist junctions
All other sources of infiltration
Areas for Air Leakage
 Windows/doors
 Between sole plate
 Floors and exterior





wall panels
Plumbing
Electrical
Service access
Recessed lighting
Rim Joist junction
Air Sealing and Insulation-2 Options
 Two Options to Demonstrate Compliance
 Blower Door-When tested air leakage is <7 ACH when
tested with a blower door at 50 Pascals
 Testing after rough-in and installation of
building envelope penetrations
 When items listed in Table 402.4.2
applicable to the method of construction
are field verified (Section 402.4.2)
Recessed Lighting
 Recessed lighting in the building thermal envelope shall be
sealed to limit air leakage between conditioned space and
unconditioned space
 All recessed luminaries shall be sealed with a gasket or caulk
between the housing and the interior wall
Mechanical Equipment
 Equipment efficiency is set
by Federal Law-Not the I-Codes
Mechanical System Controls (Mandatory)
 Programmable thermostat-controls
 Ducts
 Sealing (Mandatory)
 Insulation (Prescriptive)
 HVAC Piping Insulation
 Circulating Hot water systems
 Ventilation
 Equipment sizing
 Snow melt controls
 Pools
Programmable Thermostat
 If forced air: At least one programmable thremostat per
dwelling unit
 Programmed with:
 Heating temperature set point no higher than 70 degrees
 Cooling temperature set point no lower than 78 degrees
Ducts
 Insulation (Prescriptive)
 Ducts outside the building envelope
shall be R-8; all other ducts: R-6
 Sealing (Mandatory)
 Joints and seams shall comply with IRC Section M1601.4.1
 Building framing cavities shall not be used as supply ducts
Piping Insulation
 R-3 required on HVAC systems
 Exception: Piping that conveys fluids between 55 and 105
degrees
 R-2 required on all circulating domestic hot water systems
 The system also requires a readily accessible manual switch
 An inspection of all pipe insualtion is required prior to cover
up
Ventilation and Equipment Sizing
 Ventilation
 Outdoor air intakes and exhausts shall have automatic or gravity
dampers that close when the ventilation system is not working
 Equipment Sizing
 IECC references Section M1401.3 of the IRC
 Load calculations determine proper size of equipment
 Calcualtions in accordance with Manual J
Snow Melt Controls
 Pavement temperature > 50 degrees and no precipitation is
falling and when the outdoor temperature is > 40 degrees,
the system shall shut down
Pools
 Pool heaters shall have a readily accessible shut off switch
 Gas fired heaters shall not have continuously burning pilot
 Timers to automatically turn on and off
 Exception Public Health requires 24 hour operation
 Pump systems with solar heat recvoery
Fireplaces
 New wood burning (Masonry) fireplaces
shall have gasketed doors and outside
combustion air
Lighting Equipment
 A minimum of 50% of the lamps in permanently installed
lighting fixtures shall be high - efficacy
 Prescriptive method
Simulated Performance Alternative
 Local official may approve the use of specific computer
software programs. i.e. REMrate
 Includes both envelope and equipment
 Allows greater flexibility, allows credits such as:
 High efficiency furnaces
 Tight ducts that MUST be tested (Duct Blaster)
 Exterior shading, favorable orientation
 Table 405.5.2(1) shall be followed strictly
 Similar to ENERGY STAR Home guidelines
 Code official has the final say and must approve:
 Software chosen
 Worksheets to be submitted
 Mandatory requirements are required for this method also
 Energy prices taken from approved source by code official
 All work is subject to inspections
 Certificate is required
Certificate
 Permanently posted on the electrical distribution panel
 Don’t cover or obstruct the visibility of other required labels
 Include the following information
 R-values of insulation installed for the thermal building
envelope including ducts outside
conditioned spaces
 U-factors for fenestration
 SHGC for fenestration
 HVAC efficiencies and types
 SWH equipment
Helpful Websites
 www.illinoisenergy.org Department of Commerce and
Economic Opportunity (DCEO)
 www.energycodes.gov DOE
 www.ilga.gov
Illinois General Assembly
 www.cdb.state.il.us
Capital Development Board
 www.iccsafe.org
International Code Council
Questions?
 Thanks for inviting me
 Don Plass
Director of Code Enforcement
Village of Hoffman Estates
847-781-2637
don.plass@hoffmanestates.org